Intrinsic echolocation capability of Hector’s dolphin, C e p h a l o r h y n c h u s h e c t o r i

Abstract

A sonar system's echolocation capabilities can be inferred from the ambiguity distribution (defined here in terms of the conventional signal response function) of each of its transmitted signals. Several records of sounds emitted by Hector's dolphin are analyzed. The computed ambiguity distributions indicate that the sonar clicks of Hector's dolphins should be capable of resolving the ranges of targets as close together as 2 cm apart, but that target velocities cannot be resolved to any useful degree from a single echo.